Manyana wander in as premiership favourites

SHOALHAVEN District Football Association’s 2014 season kicks off tomorrow and the topic on everyone’s lips is the return of the Manyana Wanderers to the competition.

The club won their first premiership in 2011, but after struggling the following year, they did not enter a team in first grade last season.

Despite a one-year absence, their return has certainly caught the eye of rival clubs, with almost all the other coaches tipping them to be the team to beat in 2014.

A number of their players were part of the Sussex Inlet team that featured in the semi-finals last year, but they have returned to the club and have gained some new players, with Sussex not entering the competition this year.

The likes of Mitch Butel, Billy Zappas and Brandon Perosh are back on board, while they have gained last year’s leading goal scorer Rohan Daley and his brothers Jackson and Ben from Sussex Inlet.

The 2011 premiership player Matt Tooley has been appointed as coach and may play if required.

Tooley has high expectations for the season and expects his team to be very competitive.

“We’ve got a good roster of players with the guys we’ve picked up from Sussex, which is a big bonus,” he said.

“I am a little bit disappointed that we didn’t get a trial in with all the bad weather, but I can’t wait to get out there and see how the guys go,” he added.

Manyana kick off their campaign at home to Shoalhaven Heads, Bomaderry play host to Illaroo, last year’s champions Shoalhaven United are on their home turf against Huskisson, while St Georges Basin take defending premiers Culburra.